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The insights into how Bruce Wayne's private life, including charity work, his love life, even his mother's taste in books, shapes his Batman persona is thought out and well defined. The last one, while interesting, falls back on one of the great cliches in popular culture as "A Christmas Carol" by Dickens is retold.
It's an interesting idea. The art is a bit exaggerated as was the style in the mid 90s when these issues were first released.
"Haunted Knight" collects three different Batman tales by Loeb and Sale all of which focus on Halloween. Two of the stories are excellent.
The insight into the character of both Batman and Bruce Wayne is excellent. So are the takes on Alfred, the Mad Hatter and the Scarecrow.
It's a tribute to the Loeb/Sale team that this third story is not a total disaster though it is the weakest story of the three. This book is more treat than trick and Batman fans will love it.
I like the art it is very detailed. Once you pick up this book at the store you already know its going to be good because of its creators Loeb and Sale. The story line is great because it includes the villans, Joker, Scarecrow, and Mad Hatter. Although I do not like the format of this book because its made out of real paper and not magazine paper like traditional comics have. But I recommend it for any Batman fan.
The story also introduces Dr. ***Based on the letter from the writer at the beginning of this book, these stories occur before the publications of "Batman: The Long Halloween" and "Batman: Dark Victory", but do not have any bering on either story's plots.***"Batman: Haunted Knight" is a collection of three stories set on Halloween (apparently the perfect holiday for Batman and his Rogues Gallery) that pay respective tributes to the Scarecrow, the Mad Hatter, and the Penguin (primarily, with backup from Poison Ivy and the Joker).The first story belongs to the Scarecrow and details the involvement of a new woman in the day-life of Bruce Wayne; however, beyond the influences of the Scarecrow's fear toxin, this woman has an allure for Bruce that has him prepared to give up being Batman - but she is not what she seems. Also, while Bruce deals with this personal dilemma, Captain Gordon is kidnapped by the Scarecrow; will Bruce answer the call.The second story belongs to the Mad Hatter and details how this villain's theme plays into an aspect of Bruce's childhood; additionally, James Gordon's niece Barbara is visiting from Chicago and after a fight with her Uncle about trick-or-treating in Gotham, runs away and finds herself in the clutches of the Haberdashic-villain (re-imagined here as a possible child molester, though this is a contended point). Leslie Thompkins (in a cameo anyway) into Loeb and Sale's Batman series.The third and final story belongs primarily to the Penguin and is based on Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol", revealing a sole failing in Bruce's divided life that he would do well to change.Each of these stories in for the most part a study of the dualistic life of Bruce Wayne and Batman and how in some form or another he deals with - not just crime - but his life away from Batman; a rather hollow and meaningless life at that. These are good stories, but remember: they don't influence the plots of either TLH or DV, so they are not essential to add to your collection, but they make for good reads nonetheless.
A wonderfully put together graphic novel, contains three storys. Is shorter than The Long Halloween but just as good. Loeb and Sale do it again. A definate buy.
What really stands out is the lettering. Written in the mid-90s, the style is modern, yet retains the traditional Batman continuity. This book is a nice collection of Halloween themed Batman stories. That's right, the lettering is really well done in this book.I really enjoyed the story in which a gold-digger tries to capture Bruce Wayne's heart. The writers explore some of the psychology of the Batman ala Alan Moore, but they don't overdo it. The writers have done a good job with the tired superhero story arc formula of "weird bad guy does crime, Batman chases and catches weird bad guy." The drawings are of the exaggerated comic book style that was popular in the 90s. My favorite of the stories was the last story. If you can imagine, the story is "Batman meets Christmas Carol meets Halloween." Sounds weird, but it works.
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